Around the Havel Lakes near Potsdam

Potsdam - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is impressive not only for friends of garden art. The Havel lakes as well as the surrounding forest and lakeland scenery characterise the city. The 35-kilometre hike reflects this natural and cultural diversity. As you walk around Lake Templiner See and Lake Schwielowsee you will encounter plenty of stunning countryside and impressive sites of cultural interest. For example, you will pass the castles in Caputh and Petzow. There are many eateries and accommodation facilities by the lakes that allow you to get to know the hospitality of the people of the Havelland region.Length: 34 kilometres (2 days)Start/finish: Potsdam central stationLogo/route sign: blue bar against a white background and red bar against a white background (Fontane Trail 6)How to get there:Public transport: From Berlin central station, take the RE18178 (Brandenburg an der Havel) to Potsdam central station (about 30 minutes).Car: From Berlin via the A115 and Nuthestrasse to Potsdam central station (about 45 minutes)).Route: Potsdam West, Bahndamm Templiner See, western side of Lake Templiner See, Geltow, Petzow, Ferch, Caputh, eastern shore of Lake Templiner See, Potsdam
(shortcut via Geltow, Groß Wentorf, Caputh (ferry), eastern side of Lake Templiner See, Potsdam)Route description:Potsdam-Ferch: 16 kilometresFerch-Potsdam: 18 kilometresSights:Potsdam: Waterworks/mosque, Charlottenhof Villa, Sanssouci Palace and Park, Einsteinturm tower, Freundschaftsinsel island, Filmmuseum Potsdam, St. Nicholas’ ChurchCaputh: Caputh House and Estate, Fährhaus Caputh, village church in the style of an Italian basilica, Einstein’s Summer HouseFerch: thatched half-timbered houses, half-timbered church, watchtower (observation tower) on Wietkikenberg mountainPetzow: Schinkel castle and church, Lenné landscape gardenGeltow: Local history parlour, “Aktives Museum Weberei” interactive weaving museumPossible combinations:66-Lakes Hiking TrailPanorama trail through the Werder (Havel) fruit-growing regionTrail conditions/surface: not specifiedMaps/Literature: “Rad-, Wander- und Gewässerkarte Havelseen 3: Werder-Potsdam: Mit Fahrland, Glindow, Geltow, Caputh, Ferch, Michendorf”, 1:35.000, Verlag: grünes herz, Auflage: 6 (2010), ISBN-13: 978-3929993936, Euro 3.95